Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Student Athletes Beware: March Madness Gambling Has Serious Consequences
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: March 13, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Student Athletes joining in on a campus pool for March Madness is harmless fun, right? Don’t bet on it!
The chance to earn a little money through March Madness gambling brackets and betting pools may be enticing and seemingly harmless to student athletes. However, many may not be aware that small “friendly wagers” constitute a violation of sports law and the provisions that govern gambling.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association monitors gambling among student athletes very closely during March Madness, and committing NCAA violations by gambling can reap serious consequences for otherwise stellar student athletes. This includes making bets through a bookmaker, the internet or any other method utilized by organized gambling, or giving information to another individual to make bets.
Athletes should keep in mind that while NCAA laws do not expressly prohibit athletes from filling out the typical team bracket sheet, it does fall into the gambling (and therefore illegal) category when money is paid to enter the pool and prizes of any nominal value are given. The simple rule to remember is that if the contest requires an entry fee and can result in winning a prize, then chances are it is considered to be sports wagering and is prohibited. Entry fees and/or prizes come in many “shapes and sizes” but typically involve something of value in either case. There are many contests that are free to enter but offer a prize. There are also contests that charge a fee, but result in no prize. These are permissible contests that should not jeopardize your eligibility as a NCAA student-athlete.
Those who are found to be in violation of NCAA law can face a number of punishments which may include indefinite suspension from a team or expulsion from school, both of which may jeopardize students from being drafted into professional sports leagues. In addition, players may also be banned from professional sports and, in serious cases, face jail time.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Crisis-Proofing Your New Jersey Business: Building a Crisis Response Plan Before You Need One
For New Jersey businesses, crisis preparedness should be viewed as a legal and operational function, not simply an emergency-management exercise. A well-designed crisis response plan can help preserve evidence, protect confidential communications, meet reporting obligations, limit unnecessary exposure, and prevent an already difficult situation from becoming a larger legal problem. Key Takeaways A serious crisis […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
Monmouth County's Next Development Wave: What Developers and Investors Need to Know
Monmouth County is entering a significant new phase of development. For those looking to acquire property or undertake a new project, understanding the market opportunity is only the beginning. The more important question is whether a particular property can actually be developed as contemplated and what approvals, agreements, and other conditions will be required to […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Are Your Conversations with AI Shielded from Discovery? Courts Are Split
Whether a client’s prompts to a generative AI tool and the documents it produces are protected from disclosure depends on the case type, who claims protection, and whether counsel was involved. In United States v. Heppner, a New York federal judge ruled that a criminal defendant’s communications with an AI platform were protected by neither […]
Author: Chris Seelinger
Guardianships in New Jersey: When a Loved One Can No Longer Manage Personal or Financial Affairs
When a family member can no longer make important decisions for themself, the question is often not whether the family will step in, but whether they have the legal authority to do so. A spouse may manage household finances, or an adult child may arrange medical care and pay bills. Still, informal assistance does not […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
New Jersey’s Revised UHAC Regulations: What Residential Developers Need to Know About Affordable Housing Commitments
New Jersey residential developers with affordable housing obligations should carefully review their existing approvals, development agreements, and proposed deed restrictions in light of the State’s revised UHAC regulations (Uniform Housing Affordability Controls). The regulations, which took effect on November 6, 2025, significantly change the administration and physical requirements for affordable housing units. For developers with […]
Author: Wendy Rubinstein Quiroga
“No Comment” Culture: Why Silence Is Often the Riskiest Legal Strategy
A “no comment” response is sometimes the right call when a legal problem arises. As a blanket policy, however, it lets allegations go unanswered, deadlines pass, evidence disappear, and manageable disputes grow into expensive litigation. The businesses that fare best are usually the ones that say little publicly while acting decisively behind the scenes. When […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.